I agree whole heartedly. When we were kids, we knew everyone on my block and people didn’t move much. We could tell neighbors we were going on vacation or when

I agree whole heartedly. When we were kids, we knew everyone on my block and people didn’t move much. We could tell neighbors we were going on vacation or when something happened neighbors were looking out and we could run around freely. My mom would talk with older neighbors when they were out doing yard work. Due to continued movement for careers, there isn’t long term stability in community like there used to be. Another factor, as I stated in another comment, is families don’t live as close as they used to. Most of the families I grew up around have at least one kid in a city 4+ hours away. Before, one cousin could take Mom and Aunt Sue to an event and then other cousin could do it two weeks later due to everyone (or at least Mom and Aunt Sue) living close to each other. Siblings could jointly care for an ailing parent. Now, those burdens tend to do fall on an increasingly small percentage of the next generation of the family because everyone is a half day of travel or more away. (EDIT: And to note, I didn’t grow up in the middle of nowhere. I grew up in a suburb of Pittsburgh that is a 15 minute drive to downtown. I wonder if it is an even larger attrition rate for small towns.) Finally, grandparents played a big role in raising me. I was with my Nana nearly daily through high school when my parents were working or busy. I saw my other grandparents weekly. Now most of my friends are grateful to be living within an hour or so of one parent. You know who else that kind of interaction is good for? The grandparents! My Nana wasn’t as lonely because she interacted with or was around my siblings and I daily. When you are hours away, a 5 minute skype call every few days isn’t the same.